2.2 Sampling Sites
We identified five representative study sites across the national park.
The sampling blocks were Sundarijal, Shivapuri, Gurjebhanjyang,
Nagarjun, and Manichud areas within the SNNP. Each site was sampled in
three elevation transects based on forest type; lower transect occurred
between 1500 m–1700 m, middle transect at 1800 m–1900 m, and upper
transect at 2000 m–2700 m. In each elevation, 25 line transects each of
100 m X 5 m with 100 m inter transect distance was fixed. Four types of
habitats; forest trail (FT), grassland (GL), trails of the managed
habitat (MH) and the open trail of the forest (OT), that fall under
transect were surveyed. Forest habitat is denoted as the forest with
canopy coverage of more than 70% with a walking trail of 15 m width.
Grassland habitat is an herb–dominated in the transect with sparsely
located trees. Open trail habitat of the forest meant the area with no
tree coverage within 15 m width on either side of survey transect. The
open trail of managed habitat is the transect along walking trail of
managed habitat with no canopy tree within 15 m width of the trail.
Managed habitat incorporates the buffer zone area of the National Park.
The area is a human settlement with cultivated lands. The major crops
cultivated during spring are Mustard and coriander while mustard,
buckwheat, balsam apple, and squash are in autumn.